Chris Hoke will retire

The first, expected change to the Steelers defense will officially take place Thursday. Defensive lineman Chris Hoke will announce his retirement at a press conference held by the Steelers.

Hoke was a classic, valuable role player for an entire decade. He joined the organization in 2001 as an undrafted free agent and remained a backup for most of his career.

Hoke only started more than three games in a season once (2003), but he was the type of unsung 3-4 defensive lineman that the Steelers defense is built upon. Hoke had a neck injury this season and his retirement is no surprise.

The Steelers aging defense faces a lot of questions this offseason, with the futures of Casey Hampton, James Farrior, and Aaron Smith all uncertain.

I still have my 2008 Band of Brothers Super Bowl year in review DVD to remember you by!!! 🙂 My heart still skips a beat when I watch it. The marvelous 4th quarter comeback against Dallas. Who can forget James Harrison’s …oh wait … I’m rambling. Thanks for everything Chris. 🙂 Good luck in your future endeavors.

The only reason he didn’t start was because he had a HOF caliber DT playing in front of him. On most other teams he’d be a full-time starter.

I am not sure that the article is correct. He started for Hampton in I believe every game in 2004 after Hampton tore his ACL vs the Cowboys in week 6. The Steelers defense that year finished #1 in total yards, rushing yards, points against, and 4th in passing yards.

It says a lot about the quality of your play when you’re a d-lineman who’s started more than three games only once in a decade but every fan still knows your name. Hoke is a quintessential Steeler, and I’m glad he’s retiring in the black and gold. He will be missed.

It’s good to see so many people realize just how valuable he was. Career backup? Maybe, but guys like Hoke, Charlie Batch, Larry Foote have been a huge part of the continued success. Those types of players are hard to find, which is why they have all stuck around so long.

Chris was very dependable, and to me was a 1-A player, having to play right behind some really high caliber players. He probably could have started on many teams. I was never concerned when he had to play, unlike how I feel with some of the shuffling OL players.

1. Hoke is older than most 2001 grads because he did a Mormon mission while in school (BYU grad).

2. He started 10 games in 2004, not 2003, which is significant because the 2003 season was a disaster (although Hampton made the Pro Bowl that year) while the team went 15-1 in Hoke’s only season as a starter (due to injury).